Scripture: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” – (15:8)
Observation: Undoubtedly there were issues within Solomon’s household due to the numerous wives and religious practices they brought into the marriage. Solomon cautions his son that a sacrifice offered to God by one who is unwilling to follow God’s commandments will not be accepted. It is only by obedience to God and His ways will the prayers that are offered be pleasing to and accepted by the Lord.
Application: The assumption that anyone can pray to God at any time, and He “drops everything” to attend to that prayer is not correct. Approaching God in prayer is a privilege. Yes, God is delighted when His children pray. Yes, God listens to the prayers of believers. Yes, God is approachable 24/7. However, prayers have specific parameters that are often overlooked on our end that explains why sometimes there is delay in hearing from God.
If one’s heart harbors sin, God does not listen. Psalm 66:18 states, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” Sin creates a barrier to God. Never forget that God is holy and just. We cannot simply go to Him in a sinful state and expect Him to accept us as is. Cain found that out when he tried to offer a sacrifice with the wrong attitude. “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Genesis 4:7). God even took the time to explain to Cain what the problem was with his sacrifice, but Cain’s heart was not in the right place, and that led to disastrous results.
A wicked, unrepentant individual with a sinful attitude prohibits the acceptance of any offering to God, whether it be an actual sacrifice, like Cain’s, or one that is abstract, like one’s time. Remember, God doesn’t look at what we do, He looks at our hearts. I Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Having the wrong attitude… prideful, unrepentant, angry, etc., does not please God and until we make ourselves right in His eyes, our sacrifice of prayer, time, money, etc. is not acceptable to Him.
Furthermore, even the sincerest Christian has times when his or her prayers need a little divine help. In these cases, our prayers are assisted by Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 records, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Our prayers must be presented appropriately to the Lord, and this is accomplished on our behalf through the work of the Holy Spirit. There are times when we ask amiss or in misalignment to the will of God, or we lack the humble attitude in approaching the Lord. We must be “upright” in our spirit to have our prayers be pleasing to God.
Becoming upright requires a repentant heart, a humble spirit, and the forgiveness of the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ. Once we have that, our prayers flow to God unhindered and are pleasant to Him!
Prayer: O God, I praise You for Your holiness, Your majesty, Your great love! Cleanse my heart, O Lord, and may my prayers be acceptable to You… a sweet savor ascending to Your throne. Make me a vessel that You can use and give me a servant’s heart. May I have the right spirit within me to please You and serve You always. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
Dear Saviour, let Thy watchful eye protect me day by day,
That from the precious fold I love my heart may never stray.
Make me humble, loving, dutiful; make Thy home within me beautiful;
Cleanse my heart from sin; let no stranger in.
I want Thy Spirit’s gentle power, my constant guide to be;
I want Thy love, Thy tender care, to bind me close to Thee.
Make me humble, loving, dutiful; make Thy home within me beautiful;
Cleanse my heart from sin; let no stranger in.
(from “Amazing Grace” by Fanny Crosby)
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“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14